A performing arts school in Liverpool city centre will shut down this summer.
The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) School has confirmed that it is set to permanently close for primary and secondary pupils at the end of the school year.
Parent were informed in a letter from the school’s leadership that the difficult decision had been taken in agreement with education secretary Bridget Phillipson.
The school, which is not connected to Sir Paul McCartney’s original arts academy of the same name, has faced a number of challenges related to its core operations.
A ‘significant overspend’ that led to severe financial deficit alongside a poor Ofsted rating and falling pupil numbers are among the reasons cited for its summer closure.
“These issues are further compounded by a local and national backdrop of a declining birthrate,” read part of the letter.
“While the new trust board and the school leaders have worked extremely hard to overcome these issues and have explored every avenue, we are deeply saddened to have to let you know that the Secretary of State for Education along with the board of trustees has made a substantive decision that the school should close as of the 31 August 2026.
“We are extremely sorry to be sharing this with you and know this news will come as a great disappointment – we are hugely sympathetic to that feeling.”
It added: “We have also spoken with the school staff, who have always given such dedicated and committed service to the children, to explain what closure means for them, while thanking them for all their incredibly hard work. We are providing full support to our colleagues.
“On that note, we would also like to take this opportunity to put on record our thanks to you for all you have done in the time you have been part of the school’s community.
“You have all provided huge support and made a great contribution to the school being the success it is.”
Despite the shutdown, the school insists its staff were ‘committed’ to teaching all children until August 31 while ensuring Year 6 and Year 11 can still sit their exams.